Report: Attack on Israeli convoy message to Jordan

Jordanian security official says al-Qaeda may be behind attack on Israeli diplomatic convoy as message to Kingdom's authorities

Roee Nahmias|Published: 01.15.10 , 10:54

A Jordanian security official told the Kingdom's al-Ghad newspaper that the explosion
targeting an Israeli diplomatic convoy was a message to Jordanian authorities, and that those behind the attack are capable of infiltrating Jordan's security establishment and hitting its strategic assets.

The source did not rule out the possibility that the al-Qaeda
organization was behind the attack.

Israeli security sources believe the attempt was a well-planned ambush, which failed due to inaccurate timing. Initial findings collected by the Jordanian authorities show that one or two roadside bombs were used in the attack.

The devices were planted on the side of the road from Amman to the Allenby Bridge.

The modus operandi in the attack is reminiscent of roadside attacks carried out by Hezbollah
in Lebanon. Sources believe it is not unlikely that the bomb was operated by remote control, and that the vehicle was under surveillance from the moment it left the Israeli embassy in Amman.

It remained unclear whether the terrorists were operating on behalf of al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, or possibly Hamas.

Jordanian authorities detained a taxi driver
suspected of involvement in the attack. Israeli officials who have been monitoring the probe into the attack are still uncertain as to the taxi driver's connection. Authorities in Jerusalem estimate that more arrests can be expected soon.

Jerusalem officials also believe that the site of the attack was meticulously selected as it is a relatively isolated area with little traffic.

Israeli security officials who have been looking into the attack informed political leaders in Jerusalem that the botched bombing was well-planned. Fortunately, the timing of the charge's detonation was apparently a few seconds off, thereby leaving members of the convoy unharmed.